Dieting through the worst times

Posted on January 9, 2015

My mother found out she had breast cancer, already spread to her bones, at the end of 2013. She had a reasonably good year, then started to go downhill fast. She was admitted to hospital just before Christmas.

I decided to continue with my efforts to get healthy, and started my second dietbet (I won my first one) on Tuesday.

Mum died on Wednesday.

I thought seriously about dropping out of the dietbet, as I understand you can do in the first 7 days and get your money back. But then I was looking through my photo albums for pictures of my mother and saw lots of photos of myself ten years or more ago, looking so good (and I thought I was fat then! Ha!). I don't want to give up the quest to lose this excess weight. My mother would certainly want me to be healthy.

I've been sad and stressed and busy planning the funeral. I am an emotional eater, but not (it seems) for grief and loss. My diet has been fairly bad because I can't be bothered going to the effort of preparing healthy food, or exercising, but I haven't been bingeing or eating more than usual. And I've actually lost a little weight, maybe a stress reaction.

The funeral is still a week away, so by the time all this is "over", we will be nearly half way through this Chris and Heidi Get Lean in 2015 dietbet. Until then I'll be doing lots of travelling (mum was in a different city) and staying in hotels and eating out. I'm still not quite sure what to do about the dietbet. Considering I am not in any sense dieting right now. But I still want to lose weight. I want to be part of this huge inspiring group. I have the two conflicting voices: "This is a terrible time to be focusing on your weight, you should just let it go for now and start again in a few weeks when you are ready." But also: "There is never a bad time to get healthier, why should sadness and junk food that makes you sick go together? It makes more sense to nourish your body with healthy food and exercise to make the emotional part more bearable. Use the community support of dietbet to stay on track during this difficult time."

What do you guys think?

Comment Now!

Suze

02/09/2015 3:49PM

My mom passed on Oct 21st- 2 months into my diet betting. I re-doubled my efforts in her memory. She was not one to take care of herself and I know she would want me to live longer and healthier than she was able. I tell myself daily that this is a lifestyle I'm choosing- not a diet. Be kind to yourself, really think about what you are willing to do differently - or not.For me, no sugar is easier than dabbling- 50 years of experience tells me I just have to say no. I do have 3 oz of wine almost every night- and I fit that into my daily food plan. Plan is the operative word for me. And it's a "practice" - some days are easy, some are not. If it were easy, everyone would be thin, right?! Best of luck on your journey(s). DB will help you stay accountable to yourself

LeeRyan

01/18/2015 4:49PM

good luck!

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kwogni

01/09/2015 9:12AM

What does you heart tell you, Natalie? Stay or Abandon the Dietbet challenge? If you feel that staying on will help with the mourning process, then do so. Otherwise, the Dietbet challenges will always be there.

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Kari A.

01/09/2015 6:16AM

I ran out of space, but my brother died of cancer also. Brain tumor. Each year I do a 5k race through the Gilda's Club. Not only does it help me remember him, but it helps me stay in shape. :)

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Kari A.

01/09/2015 6:14AM

So sorry for your loss! :( I'm no expert on serious tragedies. This reminds me of when my friend had a stillborn - I mean REAL hardship (my husband has kidney disease and we have daily struggles with dialysis and his health and finances but again, no REAL loss). But I would like to think that now is a good time to take care of yourself at the same time you are going through this. Seek out comfort in things other than food. My brother died in 2006 and the morning the ambulance took him away (watching this from the window didn't help) I went to the gym. I do my best thinking when I'm walking or running. It's like a weight is lifted! Then I came home to grieve. Anyway, I really hope you are reading the posts on here and seeing that we all are in this together! So many people are going through things and still finding success! I think it's easier to do this with a network like Diet Bet! Hugs! Hang in there!

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